At the end of March 2022, Gartner published its new annual market analysis of analytics and BI platforms. The analysis emphasized even more, among other things, combinable data sets that make it easier to find and use information, and management models that effectively monitor the use of information. As in previous years, Microsoft Power BI was found to be the industry’s leading platform solution.
In March 2022, research company Gartner published its comprehensive analysis of the market situation and operators in the Business Intelligence industry. Most of the capabilities identified as key in the analytics and Business Intelligence platforms were familiar from previous years, but there were some updates as well. The report can be ordered free of charge from Microsoft’s website.
Microsoft’s Power BI came out on top again in the Gartner comparison – for the 15th time in a row. In our last year’s blog post, we reported on the industry-changing pricing and licensing model for Power BI, which enabled BI functionality to be fully used by an ever-wider range of users.
Among other things, Power BI stands out in this year’s field of four with the strongest overall vision and implementation. Its functionalities are the most advanced in the industry in terms of customer demand-driven capabilities, as highlighted in Gartner’s list.
We selected six of the twelve core competences identified in the analysis for further review. We recognize that these six elements are particularly relevant to today’s customer needs and to our own work as a Business Intelligence solution provider. Our six picks are:
1. Governance
In Gartner’s analysis of core competencies, the former “manageability” has now been updated to “governance”. This refers to the platform’s ability to support the monitoring of data usage and the management of data creation and sharing. This will also provide information on which reports strain the platform, so that use can be optimized efficiently. In addition, a well-functioning governance model enables temporal optimization, data quality assurance, and controlled versioning. Ideally, the pipeline from development through testing to production is fully managed. In many companies, the governance model is still a clearly underused opportunity.
An efficient and fit-for-purpose governance model also helps monitor the usage of reports: which reports are actually used and with which tools? Microsoft Power BI, the top performer in the Gartner comparison, uses Purview to track the data product from source to user, and to manage local, SaaS and multi-cloud data.
2. Catalog
Catalog refers to the ability to support easy discovery and use of content. Optimally, data sets and their combinations enable powerful search functionalities, and also provide recommendations to the user.
A key underlying driver is reusable and interconnectable data sets. For example, a powerful platform makes it possible to share specific data models and data sets so that people who compile reports on their own can also access the same figures in the same format, and so that everyone is working with the same accurate data. By linking formal data models, it is easy to relate entities to each other, for example, production to staff numbers, euros and so on.
3. Security
The importance of security for analytics and Business Intelligence platforms is not going to diminish. Security is also essential related to user management and general platform access and authentication management, among other things.
A key feature of modern platforms is that data can be restricted by user group and user, so that, for example, each user can only see the data of their own department in a report. Some platforms allow you to go even further, i.e. by restricting records, columns, and metrics per user. In Microsoft Power BI, many take advantage of the advanced user management features of Microsoft Office365 and Azure AD, as well as the ability to separate report viewers and developers, so that viewers cannot inadvertently modify the content of reports.
Many also see the fact that Power BI keeps all data within the EU as a major advantage. The great news for Finland is that Microsoft is currently building a full-scale Azure Data Center in Espoo.
4. Cloud-enabled analytics
As modern business is highly data-intensive in most industries, data needs to be available everywhere and on different devices. Today’s key platform requirement is that analytics and analytics applications can be built, operated and managed in the cloud. However, it is also important that the analytics solution covers both cloud and local data, and also enables multi-cloud computing.
In addition to data availability, the management of different data volumes, scalability, user numbers, and automated platform management are also essential.
5. Data visualization
The best analytics and BI platforms of 2022 have powerful support for advanced, interactive graphs that allow users to explore data. In addition to the basic shapes of columns, pies and lines, users will appreciate the wealth of options to choose from, with a variety of presentation formats for different purposes.
Power BI’s strength is the hundreds of customizable presentation formats. For example, the acclaimed Inforiver model allows an organization to easily collect economic forecasts with comments in a single presentation format and quickly compare forecasts and actuals.
6. Reporting
The best analytics and BI platforms enable the creation and delivery of paginated and parameterized reports. Reports that follow the graphical look and feel of the visual standards of the organization can be sent to desired recipients on a scheduled basis, and the content sent can also be managed on a per-recipient basis.
The usability and consistency of aggregate views and reports are also crucial. Often the organization’s IT department or a designated service provider finalizes the reports developed by employees themselves, for the benefit of a wider range of users, to meet common standards across the organization.
Overall, Gartner states that key criteria for customers to choose their analytics and Business Intelligence platform in 2022 includes support for a cloud-based ecosystem and compatibility with other digital tools in the organization. It is also important that the platform supports a wide range of added functionalities, and enables users to develop and deploy applications with little to no coding.
In addition to the platform selection, it is important to find a competent partner who can not only recommend but also challenge the client company when building a functional BI solution. In a short period of time, we have shifted to a situation where it is no longer a question of whether or not a company should have a Business Intelligence solution. Most companies are now wondering which combination of platform and partner delivers the most effective outcome.
At Pinja, we have provided solutions based on the Microsoft Power BI platform since 2015. We are already leveraging all the features listed for the benefit of our clients, developing a highly efficient and business-enhancing solution for our clients in different industries. If this is a topical issue for you right now, feel free to contact us.
Read more
Order the report for free on Microsoft’s website: 2022 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms
Microsoft’s summary blog post: Microsoft named a Leader in the 2022 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Analytics and BI Platforms
Our last year’s blog: Microsoft again ranked number one among Business Intelligence platforms in Gartner’s 2021 analysis
Pinja: Business Intelligence – tiedon etsimisestä tiedolla toimimiseen
Kasvata liiketoimintaa pilvipalvelun avulla
Pinja: Business Intelligence – from searching for information to working with information
Grow your business with cloud computing
Pinja is developing one of Europe’s largest healthcare data warehousing solutions for the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa
Knowledge leadership at the University of Jyväskylä took a big leap forward with the help of Pinja
Jydacom’s success is based on industry-specific software development and powerful analytics
